I have two homeschooled teens. They consider it the best thing ever to happen to them. They are involved in real life, and all around they see public school students involved in a very artificial existance. My oldest has been apprenticed since 14 and loves what he does. They have tons of friends in our homeschooling group. They find most public school kids empty and vapid, and overinvolved with clothes and rock stars. That is not to say homeschooling is perfect. And homeschoolers are not perfect - there are plenty of not so nice kids there, too. But they have a lot more supervision than the others and so usually don't have opportunity to cause as much pain and trouble as the ones in PS.

We are much closer as a family than most PS kids. We have a great time together and when I meet PS families they are always a little amazed that my kids seem to have bypassed the "sullen, rebellious age" they are told is so normal with their kids. From my observations that is a byproduct of the school system.

Homeschooling has its drawbacks as well as its advantages. Despite what the liberal media would have you believe, huge amounts of money are poured into PS and that is sometimes hard for a HS parent to compete with. For instance, I have always regreted that I never had a really great microscope for them to use like I had in HS or other science and art supplies that I can't afford. But the trade off is FAR worth it.

As far as a prom or sports goes, depending on your area, you can find hs'ers organized to offer such things. You can get class rings and other stuff. The kids in my hs group have a group ethic where they actually feel like a school as far as socialization goes. They skate together, have beach day, graduation ceremonies, etc. Today my son is going to a language class with his friends. They just aren't herded together without parental supervision for 8 hours a day.

Wow, this is a long post but I hope it tells you some interesting things about homeschooling. If you have the commitment there is nothing more rewarding. It is like you actually have your children to ENJOY them, and don't have to ship them off all day into the care of others. We have a great old time.

My cousing made the decision to homeschool her kids four years ago when the oldest turned 5. I was all for it and totally encouraged her. The rest of my family were against it, citing the old myths about home school kids not being socialized, not having access to resources, etc.

Now, the oldest is 9, the middle is 7, and her youngest will be starting schooling next year. The two in school now can carry on complex conversations in a broad range of subjects with most adults. That's because they have learned at their own pace, not held back by slower students, and their curiosity can be explored freely, not limited by a bell ringing every 50 minutes. They learn to think creatively and with complexity and perspective.

I swear, talking with the oldest one makes me feel like I'm talking to George Will.